Stůj tady 10 sekund, když se těšíš na prázdniny
Stand here for 10 seconds if you're excited about the holidays
A chalk message in a Prague park reminded me why mistakes are the heart of language learning. I also have for you a few tips how to keep up your Czech even when summer turns your schedule upside down (children running free, demolishing the house).
I came across this message during a morning run through one of Prague’s prettiest parks Grébovka (aka Havlíčkovy sady). If you’re in Prague, definitely visit this park. It’s full of winding paths, elegant architecture, and even a vineyard. Yes, they grow grapes right in the city and make real wine from them. Bring a book, a podcast, or just your thoughts. (I recommend a cup of coffee and 10 minutes of Czech.)
Grébovka aka Havlíčkovy sady: View of the park and vineyard
Someone (probably a tiny Czech with sidewalk chalk and big summer dreams) had written it right on the pavement. A pure dose of joy. Looking forward to the holidays.
The language nerd in me, however, instantly noticed something: There’s a missing comma.
In Czech, we use a comma before když (“when”) because it introduces a subordinate clause which is a type of dependent clause that adds extra information, like time, reason, or condition. These little side-kick clauses always get separated from the main sentence with a comma.
So, grammatically correct, it should read:
Stůj tady 10 sekund, když se těšíš na prázdniny.
But wait. There’s more.
In this context, it might actually make more sense to use pokud (“if”) instead of když.
Why?
Když means “when” as in a moment in time: “When it rains, I stay home.”
Pokud means “if”, as in a condition: “If it rains, I’ll stay home.”
So this sentence is really inviting you to stand there if you’re excited about the holidays not at the exact moment when you’re excited (that would be weird).
So the best version would probably be:
Stůj tady 10 sekund, pokud se těšíš na prázdniny.
Corrected chalk message
And yet it made me smile. Because even Czech kids forget the rules sometimes. So if you're making mistakes while learning Czech? Good. You're learning.
Mistakes Are Where the Magic Happens
The biggest myth about language learning? That it needs to be perfect. But if Czech kids (and adults as well) get grammar wrong, so can you.
The goal isn’t flawless Czech. The goal is fearless Czech.
No one ever learned a language by staying silent. So say the weird sentence. Use the wrong case. Mix up ten and ta. That’s where progress is.
But What If the Kids Are Home?
Yep, summer changes everything. No school. No schedule. Chaos. But your Czech habit? It doesn’t have to take a vacation.
Here’s how to keep it alive even if your house is full of Legos, noise, and sunscreen:
Morning: Listen to any channel on mujRozhlas while making breakfast.
Afternoon: Write one sentence about your day. Just one.
Evening: Read a bedtime story in Czech (to your kid or to yourself).
Even 5–15 minutes a day keeps the habit warm. You don’t need to study hard. Just stay connected.
Want Something to Keep You Going?
The Painless Czech Guidebook was built for real humans with real lives.
Inside you’ll find:
50 pages of practical, Czech-specific hacks of learning the language
Tips for sneaking Czech into your day (even when summer’s nuts)
Tools for listening, reading, writing, and speaking that feel fun. Not like homework
Start here → Get the Guidebook
And next time you spot a chalk message on a Prague sidewalk see if you’d correct it.
